Cell Phone REQUIRED!!? for Google Checkout

[unlistedmoniker]

Hi Folks. I'm a recent refugee from that 'other' place, and trying to get started again. I just left the Google site, and stopped my application for their Checkout when I hit the requirement for a cell phone to verify my identity. Struck me as just a little absurd that sending a message to my cellphone would confirm my identity, particularly when they allow you to send the coded message to "somebody else's phone" if you don't have your own! Gosh, that sure proves a lot about my identity! Anyway, has anybody managed to circumvent this lunacy using such archaic means as Bank Account Verification or some other means? I just refuse to get one of those little plastic intruders for the sake of Google.

Secondly, I've had and later canceled my Prey Pal account when I migrated. I had no problem with them in my limited experience (about 200 transactions), but I'm very concerned that using them here just helps the big bad brother, flea bay, intrude into a decent site since they do own Prey Pal. Do they pull the same nonsense here that they do over there these days, such as freezing accounts, and arbitrating disputes by always ruling for the buyer, etc.?

Your experiences therein would be most appreciated.

[deltadelta48]

Hi Folks. I'm a recent refugee from that 'other' place, and trying to get started again. I just left the Google site, and stopped my application for their Checkout when I hit the requirement for a cell phone to verify my identity. Struck me as just a little absurd that sending a message to my cellphone would confirm my identity, particularly when they allow you to send the coded message to "somebody else's phone" if you don't have your own! Gosh, that sure proves a lot about my identity! Anyway, has anybody managed to circumvent this lunacy using such archaic means as Bank Account Verification or some other means? I just refuse to get one of those little plastic intruders for the sake of Google.

Secondly, I've had and later canceled my Prey Pal account when I migrated. I had no problem with them in my limited experience (about 200 transactions), but I'm very concerned that using them here just helps the big bad brother, flea bay, intrude into a decent site since they do own Prey Pal. Do they pull the same nonsense here that they do over there these days, such as freezing accounts, and arbitrating disputes by always ruling for the buyer, etc.?

Your experiences therein would be most appreciated.

Can't advise you on cell phone or google. I have a cell phone for emergencies, and don't use google checkout. Someone else will help with that.

Paypal. Oh oh, you cancelled? I use PP on both my website and my ebid account. About 99% of my customers prefer it here (now it is your turn to say, oh oh). About 1% or less use checks/money orders. I have my original PP account and used it on feebay and did have trouble with them. They are a feebay company and played enforcer for feebay rules (holding payments for 21 days etc). They DO NOT do that here or on my website. In a year I have not had smidge of trouble from them!!!

Might be that feebay is making money because PP is sooooo successful. PP knows which side of the bread the butter and jam is on and behave when used on other auction sites. PP is growing by leaps and bounds. Most of the sellers and buyers on ebid did come from feebay or still buy/sell on feebay so it is very convenient to use PP. I accept checks etc because feebay angered some buyers by eliminating that option, so I leave that open to those without credit cards etc.

So I recommend you use PP and accept domestic checks/money orders, and that covers 100% of any buyer that comes to your listings. My opinon is that is it difficult to expect buyers to join unfamiliar financial plans in order to buy from any seller. Here you will find they just want to buy and pay. No fuss, don't even like bidding and fighting over items much.

Welcome to ebid. If you get up and rolling and have not had a nibble or sale in a few weeks, come back and we can help you with tweeks to get those sales moving.

[JanetB]

I never had to use a cellphone for verification with Google Checkout. But you do need a bank account so they can transfer your earnings to it (which is automatic every 2-3 days).

Check out my Google link and follow the instructions to set up a Google Merchant Account.

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[BAGHAG999]

Think you will find if you want to sell most buyers prefer Paypal, probally a case of better the devil you know.

[unlistedmoniker]

...much appreciated input, folks. I'll have to reconsider PP for a spell then. At any rate, I'll be headed back over to Google this evening. If I run into the same cell phone nonsense again, I'll be back to post. Maybe it wasn't the only verification link and I missed the other, or perhaps it was a bogus page phishing for cell info, or maybe it's just new nonsense? It certainly didn't make any sense to me. At any rate, I'll find out later. Thanks again.

[unlistedmoniker]

Almost forgot! I see PPPay requires a Euro account, has been having trouble with U.S. currency transactions, etc. Is there another trusted escrow service folks recommend? Some of my guitars are going to be over a grand in US$, and a lot of folks are apt to be just a tad nervous about dropping that kind of money on somebody with no feedback here with no other guarantees....at least I sure would.

[banrigh]

I have never had an issue with PP outside of greedbay, so would consider using it. PPPay, I believe, correct me if I am wrong, is used in other countries, but not in the US. I use Google Checkout and I would say about a fourth of my transactions are through Google, even less by Money Order. I don't remember needing a cell phone number to sign up for Google Checkout, but you do have to have a bank account so they can transfer any payments.

[unlistedmoniker]

JUST GOT back from the google site. It's a cell phone or nothing. No work-arounds listed, the FAQ's say to borrow someones and be sure it has texting capability because of the kind of code they need to send, etc. No alternative offered, no workarounds listed on the site, and no means of appeal. I emailed them this afternoon, but haven't gotten any response so far.....So if you're not a cell phone user, or if you don't particularly want them having your cell phone number (or your friend's if you have to borrow)- WHICH THEY DO KEEP ON FILE - but would NEVER NEVER USE OR SELL....Hmmm.....I guess there's always preypal!

[JanetB]

Almost forgot! I see PPPay requires a Euro account, has been having trouble with U.S. currency transactions, etc. Is there another trusted escrow service folks recommend? Some of my guitars are going to be over a grand in US$, and a lot of folks are apt to be just a tad nervous about dropping that kind of money on somebody with no feedback here with no other guarantees....at least I sure would.

First of all, start filling in your Me Page with relevant information about ie you, your business, experience............... anything that will convey a sense of trust to future customers. Any shipping info, guarantees, returns etc. - above all, keep it friendly and welcoming. Also, register with Repatoo and add a link to your Me Page showing any previous feedbacks earned elsewhere.

I only use Google Checkout and Paypal and don't know much about other escrow options. Someone with more know how will come along and help you out.

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[JanetB]

JUST GOT back from the google site. It's a cell phone or nothing. No work-arounds listed, the FAQ's say to borrow someones and be sure it has texting capability because of the kind of code they need to send, etc. No alternative offered, no workarounds listed on the site, and no means of appeal. I emailed them this afternoon, but haven't gotten any response so far.....So if you're not a cell phone user, or if you don't particularly want them having your cell phone number (or your friend's if you have to borrow)- WHICH THEY DO KEEP ON FILE - but would NEVER NEVER USE OR SELL....Hmmm.....I guess there's always preypal!

Check Out This Google Link

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